Improvement in sewing-machines



' 2Sheets--Sheetl,

C. S. GUS H MAN Sewing-Machine. .NQ 65 798. Patenledluly20,1875.

I W a K. PETERS, PHOm-umcGRAPMER. WASHINGTON, av

2 Sneets sheet 2. C; S. CUSHMAN- Sewing-Machine PatentedJul-y 20,1875.

Wzffcesses:

CYRUS S. OUSHMAN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO NESBITT D.STOOPS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN SEWiNG-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 165,798, dated July 20,1875; application filed May 14, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OyRUs S. CUSHMAN, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,have invented certain Improvements in Sewing-Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification:

This invention relates to certain improvements in the construction ofthe feed-movement of sewing-machines, whereby an intermittent andvariable rotary motion, and a simultaneous horizontal and verticalreciprocating motion may be given to the feed-plate, in such manner asto carry the fabric in any direction over the bed-plate of the machinefor the purpose of forming the stitches in various designs or patternsfor ornamental work.

The invention consists, first, in the comsaid shaft, and connected witha pawl, which imparts an intermittent rotary movement to aratchet-wheel, and a corresponding movement to a pattern-cam on theshaft of the same, said pattern-cam in turn imparting a reciprocatingmovement to atoothedsegment gearing in a pinion-wheel upon the lower endof an upright shaft which carries the feed-plate, as more fullyhereinafter described. Second, in the combination, with a driving-shaftof a sewing-machine, of certain devices for imparting a horizontalreciprocating motion to the dentated feed-plate, consisting of a camattached to said driving-wheel, which operates a lever working againstthe lower end of an upright shaft, extending upward into the verticalshaft before mentioned, in such manner as to oscillate a lever to whichthe feedh plate is attached, as more fully hereinafter described.

ing a lever, which, in turn, operates the vertical shaft carrying saidfeed-plate, raising the same at proper intervals, and a spring fordepressing said shaft, as more fully hereinafter described. Fifth, in apattern-cam, adapted to fit upon the shaft of a ratchet-wheel operatedby the main driving-shaft of the machine, as hereinafter more fullydescribed, in combination with a toothed segment gearing into a.pinion-wheel on the shaft which carries the feed-plate, for the purposeof varying the rotary movement of the same, and to change the design orpattern of the stitches, as more fully hereinafter set forth. Sixth, incombination with the devices for giving a horizontal :reciprocatingmovement to the feed-plate, of

a device for regulating the throw of the same,

for the purpose of adjusting the length of the stitches, as more fullyhereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents the lower portion ofthe front endof an ordinary sewing-machine, showing my improvementsattached thereto. Fig. 2 represents a view looking at the bottom of thesame. Fig. 3 represents a detached view of a portion of my device, withparts removed, showing the upright shaft which carries the feed-plate.Fig.4 represents a section through the line 3 y of Fig. 3. Fig. 5represents detached views of the upright shaft which carries thefeed-plate, and the reciprocating shaft which imparts the horizontalreciprocating motion to the same. Fig. 6 represents a cletached view ofthe toothed segment which operates the vertical rotating shaft carryingthe feed-plate, and Fig. 7 represents a perspective view of a part ofthe devices, showing the segment, pattern-cam, ratchet-wheel, and pawl.

In the drawings, A represents the bed-plate of the machine, with theusual hangers below for carrying the lower working parts of the machine,and B the main driving-shaft of said machine. 0 represents an additionalhanger for portions of my improved devices. D represents an eccentricsecured to the main shaft B of the machine, and E an eccentric strapsurrounding the same, connected by means of a rod, F, to a pawl, G,swiveled at one end to the shaft H, and carrying at the other a finger,K, which engages the teeth of a ratchet-'' wheel, L, secured to a sleeveor hub, M, journaled on the shaft H, which is securely fastened to thehanger O. N represents a removable pattern-cam of any desiredconfiguration, secured by means of a setscrew, O, to the hub or sleeveM, so as to revolve with it. P represents a toothed segment, pivoted tothe hanger G, and carrying at its upper end a friction-wheel, Q, whichrevolves in contact with the edge of the pattern-cam N, being kept insuch position by means of the spring R, attached at one end to thesegment P, and the other to the hanger U. The toothed portion of saidsegment gears into a pinion-wheel, S, secured to the lower end of avertical shaft, T, as represented in Figs. 3, 4;, and 5, journaled in abore for the purpose of extending vertically through the hanger C, saidshaft carrying the feed-plate V which projects through an opening abovethrough the plate of the machine. Said feed-plate V is attached to theupper end of a spring-rod, W, which rests in a vertical slot in theshaft T, being secured to said shaft at its lower end by means of a pin,or in any other convenient manner. Z represents a spiral springsurrounding the lower end of the shaft T, and bearing against the upperface of the pinion-wheel S, and fitting in an enlarged recess at thelower end of the vertical bore in which the shaft T is journaled. Arepresents a lever pivoted at one end to the hanger 0, extending underthe pinion-wheel S, and terminating over a cam, B, against which itrests, secured to the shaft B of the machine. Said lever is recessed onits lower side, and in said recess is pivoted at one end a shorterlever, C, the front end of which falls over and rests in contact with acam, D, also secured to the shaft B. The lever A is bored at a pointimmediately under the pinion-wheel S, and through the opening extendsthe lower end of a shaft, E, extending vertically into the shaft Tbehind the spring-bar V, the upper end being beveled, substantially asshown, and arranged to work in contact with corresponding bevel on theback of the spring-rod, just below the feed-plate. Immediately below thelower end of the shaft E, projecting through the lever O, is aset-screw, F, which may be adjusted vertically at pleasure, the lowerend of said shaft resting upon the same. Around the shaft E, near thelower end, within the lower end of the shaft T, is a spiral spring, G,Fig. 5, the lower end of which rests against a shoulder formed for thepurpose on the said shaft E, just above its lower end.

Having described the various parts of my improvements, I will nowproceed to describe their operation.

When the machine is in motion the drivingshaft B of the same, byrotating the cam D, will impart a reciprocating motion to the rod F,which will cause the pawl G to oscillate and impart an intermittentrotary movement to the ratchet-wheel L. To the pattern-cam N, secured tothe hub M of said wheel, will be imparted a corresponding motion. Thesaid pattern-cam will move the segment P through the medium of thefriction-wheel O,

oscillating it back and forth, according to its configuration. Thetoothed portion of the segment as it oscillates, gearing into thepinion-wheel S, will impart an intermittent rotary motion to the shaft Tin alternate directions, imparting acorresponding movement to thefeed-plate, and moving the cloth or fabric alternately back and forth ina circular direction upon the table. The lever C and shaft E will at thesame time be alternately elevated and depressed by the action of the camD and spring Gr, causing the shaft E, by reason of its beveled endworking against the bevel on the spring-bar W, to give the feed-plate Va horizontal reciprocating motion. During the rotary and horizontalmovements of the feed-plate V a vertical reciprocating movement is givento the same by means of the spring Z and lever A, the latter beingalternately lifted and dropped by the cam B. This vertical reciprocatingmovement is for the purpose of allowing the feed-plate to fall below thesurface of the bed-plate of the machine at each backward movement of thesame, in order that it may not carry back the fabric while assuming theposition for the next forward movement. By the combined rotary andreciprocating movements thus imparted to the feed-plate the cloth orfabric operated upon may be moved in any direction across the bed-plateof the machine, dependent upon the configuration of the pattern-cam, bywhich motion is imparted from the driving-shaft to the feed-shaftthrough the medium of the intermediate devices. By means of a set ofinterchangeable pattern-cams of different shapes or configurations,adapted to be fitted to the hub or sleeve of the ratchet-wheel, therotary movement of the feed may be indefinitely varied, enabling theoperator, at convenience, to form the stitches in various designs orpatterns.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of aneccentric attached to the driving-shaft, a pawl and ratchet wheel forimparting motion to a pattern-cam, and a toothed segment andpinion-wheel for imparting an intermittent rotary motion to thefeedplate for the purpose of moving the same, as set forth.

2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a camattached to the driving-shaft, and a lever and spring for raising anddepressing the spring W and imparting a horizontal reciprocatingmovement to the feed-plate.

3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of aneccentric attached to the driving-shaft, a pawl and ratchet forimparting an intermittent motion to a patterncam, a segment andpinion-wheel for impartin g a rotary motion to the shaft carrying thefeed-plate, and a cam, lever, and spring for raising and lowering ashaft for imparting a horizontal reciprocating movement to the feed,simultaneously with the intermittent rotary movement of the same, asspecified.

4. The combination, With the driving-shaft B, of the eccentric D, pawl.G, ratchet-wheel L, segment P, and pinion-Wheel S, on the shaft T, forimparting an intermittent rotary movement to the feed-plate,substantially as described.

5. The combination, with the driving-shaft B, of a cam,D, lever 0,spring G, and beveled lever E, and spring-rod W, for imparting ahorizontal movement to the feed-plate, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a cam, D, pawl G, ratchet-Wheel L, segment P, andpinion-wheel S, attached to the shaft T, the spring-bar W, carrying thefeed-plate V, and the shaft E, spring G, lever A, and cam D,substantially as described, for imparting a combined rotary andreciprocating motion to the feed-plate, as set forth.

' 7.. In combination with the mechanism, substantially as hereinbeforeset forth, for imparting a rotary and horizontal reciprocating motion tothe feed-plate, the cam B, lever A, and spring Z for imparting avertical reciprocating motion to the feed-plate, as set forth.

CYRUS S. GUSHMAN. Witnesses:

THos. J. BEWLEY, STEPHEN Us'rrorc.

